Circuit-controlling apparatus.



' H. FALTERMAYER.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 6 1916.

1,269,269. Patented June 11, 1918.

3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. FALTERMAYER. I cmcun comnoumc APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 6, l9l6.

Patented J mm 11, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 2- (HUM VENT

H. FALTERMAYER.

CIRCUIT CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED lUNE 6. WW.

1,269,269. Patented June 11, 1918.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

HARRY IALTERMAYEB, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIRCUIT-CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1918.

Application filed June 6, 1918. Serial No. 101,987.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY FALTERMAYER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a. Circuit-Controlling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple, reliable and substantial device whereby the operation of either of one or more air actuated motors is made to depend upon the position of a galvanometer con-- trolled element or other instrument-governed member adjustable to either of two positions; ,the invention especially contemplating a novel mechanism in which a valve moved by a galvanometer pointer is made to direct air under pressure into one or more suitable air actuated devices associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel device for automatically regu lating the supply of fuel to a furnace so as to retain the temperature of the latter at or within a given variation from, a pre determined point.

More specifically, the invention contemplates an air actuated, fuel controlling means for regulating the supply of fuel to a furnace, together with a novel device for controlling the supply of air under pressure to said means in accordance with the temperature variations in said furnace.

These objects and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference bein had to the accompanying drawings, in whic v Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the apparatus comprising my invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a somewhat simpler form of the invention;

Figs. 8 and 4 are respectively front and side elevations of a galvanometer and certain of its associated parts designed for use in accordance with either of the systems shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4;

Fig. 6 is a detached perspective view of certain of the parts of the device shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5; and

Fig. 7 is a plan of a special form of one of the features of my invention.

In the above drawings 1 represents a furnace whose temperature is to be controlled,

and which is supplied with liquid or gaseous fuel through a conduit 2 having an auto-. matically controlled stop valve 3 and a hand controlled valve 4. This latter valve at all times tends to move to its closed position under the action of a spring 5, but may be held in its open position by a spring latch 6. The furnace 1 has mounted in it a thermo-couple 7 from which conductors 8 and 9 extend to an indicator 10 and also to a galvanometer 11 which may be of any desired construction suitable for actuation by relatively small currents.

The movable element of the galvanomefor has an elongated pointer 12 whose free extremity has fixed to it a relatively light,- thin plate 13 provided with an elongated perforation or slot 14 extending parallel to the line of the pointer and constituting a valve. The frame of the galvanometcr has mounted on it adjacent the plate 13 a frame structure including a transverse mem ber 15, adjacent whose center is mounted a yoke shaped piece of strip materiallfi between whose substantially vertical sides the valve plate 13 is free to oscillate, although its movement is limited by a pair of stops 17.

Also mounted on the frame member 15 is a vertically placed air cylinder 18 having a plunger 19 immediately below the path of movement of the plate 13 and this cylinder is connected through a conduit 20'with a device which supplies air under pressure at predetermined intervals. As typical of such a device or source I have shown a solenoid 21 within which is mounted a cylinder 22 connected at the top to the conduit 20 and having operative within it a plunger 23 which constitutes the core of the solenoid. The latter is connected to a suitable source of current 24 and to a periodically closing switch illustrated as consisting of a fixed contact 25 and a rotary contact 26. This contact is connected to be turned by an. electric motor or other rotary member 27 so as to periodically engage the contact 25.

Opening on the under face of the top plate or abutment of the yoke 16 are two conduits 28 and 29 which also open on the upper or distant faces of two plungers 30 and 31 respectively operative in cylinders 32 and 33. As shown in Figs. 2 and 6, both of said cylinders are electrically conv11o nected to a conductor 34 extending to a source of current 35 and passing thence to two electro-magnets 36 and 37, whose movable elements are connected to a bar 38 operative upon a lever 39 fixed to the stem of a valve 3 in the fuel supply conduit 2. The second terminal of the magnet 36 is connected to a contact 40 immediately above the cylinder 33 while the second terminal of the magnet 37 is likewise connected to a second contact 41 above the cylinder 32.

With this arrangement of parts, which comprises my invention in its simplest form, the pointer 12 of the galvanometer normally rests with its valve plate 13 against the left hand side of the yoke 16, (Fig. 2) in which position its slot 14 is directly under or in line with the opening into the conduit 28.

The upper end of the plunger 19 is preferably recessed or hollowed so that it has a peripheral flange 42 and as the contact arm 26 isturned by the meter 27 it periodically engages the fixed contact 25, permitting current to flow to the winding of the solenoid 21. As a result of the energization of this latter, the core 23 is suddenly drawn up in the cylinder 22, causing a flow of air under pressure into the cylinder 18 and driving upwardly the plunger 19. The latter not only clamps the plate 13 against the under side of the abutment 16 so as to momentarily hold it stationary, but at the same time allows a jet of air to escape from an orifice 43 in its end into the space defined by the recess in its top and the adjacent face of the plate or valve 13. From this recess the air, still under pressure, passes through the opening in said valve plate into one of the tubes 28 and into the cylinder 32, which it causes to move upwardly into electrical engagement with the contact 41.

Current is thus permitted to flow from the source 35 through the conductor 34 to the electro-magnet 37 and thence to the contact 41, solenoid 32 and back to said source, energizing said magnet and causing the fuel controlling valve 3 to be opened. The furnace is now placed in operation and its temperature may be observed on the indicator 10. As said temperature reaches the predetermined point at which it is desired it shall be maintained, the current generated by the thermo-couple, flowing through the conductors 8 and 9, actuates the movable element of the galvanometer, causing the pointer 12 with the plate 13 to move from energizing the electro-tnagnet 37 as de scribed. The How of fuel to the furnace therefore continues until its temperature rises to such a point that the current generated by the thermo-couple causes the galvanometer pointer 12 and valve plate 13 to be so far'moved to the right that when the plunger 19 is moved upwardly, said valve plate is clamped with its slot 14 intersecting the line of the opening into the conduit 29. Thereupon air from the cylinder 18 passes into sald conduit and raises the cylinder 33 into engagement with the contact 40, causing energization of the magnet 36 which so moves the bar 38 and handle 39 as to cut ofl" or throttle the flow of fuel through the valve 3.

As long thereafter as the temperature of the furnace remains constant or above a predetermined point, the current from the thermo-couple 7 maintains the pointer 12 and Valve plate 13 in such position that the periodic upward movement of the plunger 19 either directs air under pressure into the pipe 29 or fails to deliver it to either of the pipes 28 or 29. Finally however as the temperature of the furnace falls, owing to the throttling or'lack of fuel, the pointer 12 of the galvanometer moves into such position that the valve plate 13, when clamped between the plunger 19 and the abutment provided by the top of the yoke 16, permits air from the cylinder 18 and plunger 17 to flow into the tube 28 and raise the cylinder 32. The resulting engagement with the contact 41 and energization of the magnet 37 then moves the bar 38 and handle 39 so as to open the valve 3 and permit fuel to again pass to the furnace.

Since there is always a possibility of the thermo-couple becoming inoperative either by reason of its burning-out or open or short circuiting, there is a consequent possibility of the apparatus constructed as above described failing to cut ofi the flow of fuel even though the temperature of the furnace rises to and above the predetermined maximum temperature, with a resulting pos sibility of damage to the articles being burned or treated.

In order to avoid this possibility I may add to the apparatus shown in Figs. 2 to 6 inclusive, the auxiliary mechanism shown in Fig. 1, so constructing the yoke 16 that when the galvanometer is dcnergized or supplied with current below a certain minimum, the valve plate/ 13 occupies a position with its slot 14 in line with an opening in the abutment portion of said yoke leading to a conduit 50. This conduit leads to a casing 51 in which is placed a valve 52 connected to a movable cylinder 53. This cylinder has a fixed plunger through which extends a branch pipe 54 from the pipe 28, there being a pipe 55 leading from the valve casing 51 to the upper portion of said pipe 28. A second pipe 56 leads also from the valve casing 51 and connects with a pipe 57 one end of which opens on the under side of the abutment provided by the top of the yoke 16*, to the right of the pipe ,29, while its other end passes through a fixed plunger 58 on which is movably mounted a cylinder 59. The fuel supply pipe 2 has in it a hand actuated stop valve 4 on whose stem is fixed a pair of projecting arms 60 and 61, of which the first is placed to engage the projecting stem of the valve 52 under certain conditions, so as to move it into a position to establish communication between the pipes 50 and 55. The other arm is designed to be.

engaged by the spring hook 6 so as to hold the valve in its open position against the action of the spring 5. In this ,case the cylinders 32 and 33 are directly connected to a bar 39 which is fixed to the movable element of the valve 3.

With this modified arrangement of parts,

the valve plate 13 occupies a position with its slot 14 in line with the entrance to the pipe 50 whenever the galvanometer is sup plied with less than a predetermined current, as when either the thermo-couple or the galvanometer fails to properly function or because the apparatus is not in use. When therefore it is desired to start up the furnace, the valve 4 is turned by hand against the action of the spring 5 to its open position where it is held by the latch 6. In so moving said valve, its arm 60 forces the valve 52 to the right, so that on the succeeding upward movement of the plunger 19, air is delivered through the slot 14, pipe 50,'valve 52 and pipe 55 to the cylinder 32, which thereupon opens the valve 3 and permits fuel to pass to the furnace.

As the latter reaches its predetermined temperature of operation the galvanometer pointer with the valve plate 13 swings toward the right and is sooner or later clamped by the plunger 19 in such a position that air under pressure is allowed to pass into the pipe 28. While the air thus delivered actuates the cylinder 32 as before, it also causes movement of the cylinder 53 to the left, thus establishing communica tion between the pipes 50 and 56. The instrument will thereafter continue to function as previously described, except that in the event of the open or short circuiting of the thermo-couple or galvanometer, the plate 13 would naturally assume a position with its slot 14 in line with the opening into the pipe 50. The jet of air following the next upward movement of the plunger 19 would then flow through the pipes 50, 56 and 57 to the cylinder 59, so that this latter would thereupon be moved to the right to an extent suflicient to cause the catch 6 to release the arm 61, thus allowing the release and closure of the valve 4:. There I after the manual openin of this valve automatically so sets the va ve 52 that the apparatus is again in condition to operate as above described. It will of course be noted that suitable check valves 70, 71, 72 and 73 are provided in the pipes 57, 28, 55 and 56 respectively so that the air will flow through them as above described.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the most delicate form of galvanometer or other instrument may be utilized todetermine the times of or conditions for the energization of one of two magnets or the actuation of a valve, since the periodic clamping to the abutment of the valve plate carried by the galvanometer pointer and the subsequent delivery of fluid under pressure as determined by said plate will determine the path in which air or other suitable flilid under pressure must flow in the apparatus to be controlled.

While I have illustrated a relatively simple device for providing air under pressure, it will be understood that such air may be delivered from any suitable source by any device which causes a periodic flow suflicient to operate the apparatus as above described.

Obviously instruments or devices other than a galvanometer may be utilized for actuating the valve plate 13 and as an example I have indicated such a plate in Fig. 7 as connected to and moved by a thermostat 15. This latter, which may be supported in any suitable manner, is shown as made of two connected bars of metals having different coefficients of expansion which under different temperature conditions become warped or bent to one side or the other. thereby swinging the plate 13 on either side of its normal position. Said plate would be associated with and would control the air actuated apparatus as previously explained.

I claim 1. The combination of an air actuated device; a source of air under pressure; and a galvanometer-controlled valve in the form of an oscillatory perforated plate for gov erning the admission of air from the sourc to said device.

2. The combination of aid actuated de vices; a source of air under pressure; a galvanometer and a relatively light perforated plate constituting a valve for determmlng which of said devices receives air from said source.

3. The combination of a galvanometer having an oscillatory member; a perforated plate carried by said member; a plurality of air actuated devices having inlets controlled by said plate; and means for periodically delivering air to one of the inlets as determined by the position of said plate.

4. The combination of air actuated de-- vices; a galvanometer having a movable member for controlling the flow of air to said devices; and a movable air delivering member mounted to coact with said first member.

5. The combination of a galvanometer having a movable member; a plurality of air actuated devices having inlets controlled by said member; an element for periodically holding the member from moving; and means for supplying air to the member Whileit is thus held.

6. The combination of a galvanometer having a movable member; a plurality ofv .periodically actuated element for tempo rarily clamping said plate in its inlet controlling positions; and means for supply ing air to the inlet determined by said plate.

8. The combination of air actuated devices having inlets; a galvanometer having a movable member including a perforated plate; and a perforated air actuated plunger mounted to periodically clamp said plate adjacent one of the inlets and simultaneously deliver air therto.

9. The combination of a valvanometer including a freely movable member; fluid actuated devices having inlets opening adjacent the normal path of movement of said member; a structure periodically actuated to temporarily clamp said member from movement adjacent said inlets; and means for supplying fluid under pressure to that one of the devices Whose inlet is uncovered by the member when this is held from movement.

10. The combination of a plurality of cylmuse inders having plungers; an abutment strut:

11. The combination of a plurality of cyl- I inders having plungers; an abutment structure; conduits openlng on one face of said structure and respectively connected to supply fluid to said cylinders; a plate free to move adjacent the face of said structure on Which said conduits open; means for actuating said plate; a cylinder mounted adjacent the path of movement of the plate; a plunger operative in the cylinder and provided with an opening; With means for supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder to temporarily clamp the plate against the abutment structure and simultaneously deliver fluid through its opening to one of the conduits.

12. The combination of a plurality of air actuated devices; an abutment structure; conduits from said devices opening on the abutment structure; a cylinder mounted ad jacent the abutment structure; a perforated plunger mounted in the cylinder and movable toward the abutment structure; a slotted plate movable in the space between the plunger and the abutment structure; means for moving said plate transversely to the line of movement of the plunger; with means for periodically supplying fluid under pressure to the cylinder to temporarily clamp the plate against the abutment struc ture and deliver fluid from the plunger through the plate to one of the conduits.

13. The combination of a furnace; a conduit for supplying fuel thereto; a valve in the conduit; a fluid actuated device for governing the position of said valve; a temp'era ture responsive electrical device having a movable member Whose position is dependent on temperature conditions in said furnace; a source of fluid under pressure; and a valve actuated by the movable member of said electrical device for controlling the flow of fluid from said source to said valve governing device.

14:. The combination of a furnace; means for controlling the flow of fuel thereto means including a galvanometer actuated in accordance With the temperature of the furnace;

a fluid actuated device for governing the fuel controlling means; a source of fluid under pressure; and a valve actuated by the galvanometer for controlling the flow of fluid from the source to said fluid actuated device.

15. The combination of a furnace; a fuel controlling valve therefor; a fluid actuated device governing the position of said valve; a thermo-couple for the furnace; a galvanometer in circuit with said thermo-couple; a source of fluid under pressure; and a second valve actuated by the galvanometer for governing the flow of fluid from said source to said device.

16. The combination of a furnace; a fuel controlling valve therefor; temperature con trolled means for the furnace including a galvanometer; a source of fluid under pres sure; a fluid actuated device for controlling the position of the valve; a member controlled by the galvanometer for governing the operation of said valve; with means for automatically cutting off the supply of fuel to the furnace when the temperature-coirtrolled means fails to respond to an abnormal rise of furnace temperature.

17. The combination of a furnace; a fuel controlling valve therefor; temperature controlled means for the furnace including a galvanometer; a source of fluid under pressure; a fluid actuated device for controlling the position of the valve; a member controlled by the galvanometer for governing the operation of said valve; and means for automatically cutting off the supply of fuel to the furnace when the temperature controlled means fails to respond to an abnormal rise of furnace temperature, the same consisting of a second fuel controlling valve for the furnace; with means for releasing the same under predetermined conditions.

18. The combinationbf a furnace; a temperature responsive device therefor including a galvanometer; a fuel controlling valve for the furnace: two air actuated devices for controlling the operation of said valve; a source of air under pressure; and a member moved directly by the galvanometer for determining which of said devices receives air from the source.

19 The combination of a furnace; a temperature responsive device therefor including a galvanometer; a fuel controlling valve for the furnace; two air actuated devices for controlling the operation of said valve; a source of air under pressure; a member controlled by the galvanometer for determining which of said devices receives air from the source; with means for automatically cutting off the fuel supply of the furnace in the case of the failure/of the temperature,responsive means.

20. The combination of a furnace; temperature responsive means therefor including a galvanometer; a fuel controlling valve for the furnace; two air actuated devices for respectively opening and closing said valve; a member actuated by the movable element of the galvanometer and movable adjacent the inlets of said devices; periodically operating means for delivering air under pressure to one or the other of the devices depending upon the position of said member; with air actuated apparatus connected to receive air from said member and operate to a source of air under pressure; a valve actuated by the galvanometer for governing the operation of said fuel controlling means; and means also controlled by said valve for automatically cutting off the supply of fuel to the furnace when the temperature thereof rises above or falls below predetermined limits.

22. The combination of a furnace; air actuated means for controlling the fuel supply thereto; temperature responsive means forthe furnace including a galvanometer; a source of air under pressure; a valve actuated by the galvanometer for governing the operation of said fuel controlling means; and means also controlled by said valve for automatically cutting off the supply of fuel to the furnace when the temperature thereof rises above or falls below predetermined limits the same consisting of an automatic valve; with an air motor governing the same and connected to receive air under pressure whenever the galvanometer actuated valve occupies either of two predetermined positions.

23. The combination of a plurality of air actuated devices; a source of air under pressure; an instrument having a movable member; a valve moved by said member adjacent the inlets of said devices; and means for periodically holding said valve in a position in which it will permit flow of air from the source to one of the inlets of, the air aotuated devices to the exclusion of the others.

24:. The combination of an air actuated device having an inlet; a source of air under pressure; an instrument having a movable member; a valve moved by said member adjacent said inlet; and means for pcriodically clamping said valve either in a position in which it will cut off from said device the air supplied by the source or will permit it to flow thereto.

25. The combination of an air actuated 1 device having an inlet; a source of air under pressure; an instrument having a movable member; a valve moved-by said member adjacent said inlet; and air operated means for periodically holding said valve from movement and at the same time either supplying air therethrough to said device or cutting air off from the same.

27. The combination of an air actuated device having an inlet; a source of air under pressure; an instrument havinga movable member; a valve movable by said member adjacent the inlet; a cylinder and plunger adjacent the path of movement of the valve; and means for periodically causing flow of air from the source to said cylinder either provided with an air outlet; and means for periodically actuating said element to clamp the plate either with its perforation in line with the outlet of said element and with the inlet of said device, or in'a position in which said perforation is out of line with said inlet.

HARRY FALTERMAYER. 

